By Matt Betts

Canadian Baseball Network

Week two of the college season produced more highlights from Canadian players. The temperatures back home may still be cold but the performances from players from north of the border are red hot. Below is the wrap for the past week.

Keyes continues hot start

Clayton Keyes (Calgary, Alta.) played a huge role in Central Arizona’s first win of the week, a 5-4 decision against the College of Southern Nevada. Keyes went 4-for-6 with a double, a triple and a stolen base for the Vaqueros. He then had two hits, launching a home run and driving in three in a 10-0 win over Trinidad State. After hitting a double in a 7-2 loss to Yavapai, Keyes had two hits, walked twice, drove in a run and stole a base as the Vaqueros beat Yavapai 5-1.

Bedard has three multi-hit games

Alex Bedard (Levis, Que.) had two hits, including a triple and drove in two in Southwestern Oklahoma’s 7-5 loss to Missouri Southern State to open the week. The Bulldogs bounced back to down Pittsburg State 7-4 in their second game. Bedard had two more hits, drove in another run and swiped a pair of bases in the win. Next up was Emporia State, a game the Bulldogs would take 15-5. Bedard powered the offence with three hits and a hit by pitch, while also stealing a base.

Good debut for Diewert

The No. 5 Florida Southern Mocs have themselves a good one in outfielder and Missouri transfer Zach Diewert (Chemainus, BC). Diewert showed exactly what he's capable of in the Mocs season opening series against West Florida. In Game 1, a 9-5 loss, he went 4-for-5, hit a solo home run and a double. He also drove in two of the five runs. The Mocs evened the series in Game 2 with a 4-2 win. Diewert went 2-for-3 with another double, a walk and a RBI. In the finale, a 6-5 win that clinched the series, the former Polk State Eagle had a hit, a walk and a RBI.

Tough loss for Lubbock Christian

After reeling off back-to-back wins to open the season the Lubbock Christian Chaps lost the final game of the week in heartbreaking fashion. It started well, as Ryan Johnson (Winnipeg, Man.) worked six strong innings, giving up three runs (two earned) on four hits and three walks against Missouri Southern State. He struck out an impressive 12. It looked as though the Chaps were on their way to a 3-0 week but five Missouri Southern State runs in the bottom of the ninth ruined those plans. Ryan Rijo (Barrie, Ont.) went 4-for-9 on the weekend with a walk and two RBIs.

Hilderbrandt hits in Limestone debut

Matt Hilderbrandt (Bowmanville, Ont.) had five hits in Limestone’s four-game series with Carson-Newman. Hilderbrandt left the yard in the opener, a 9-5 loss. Despite the offensive output, Limestone dropped 3-of-4.

Dearing delivers in Eagles win

Tate Dearing (Surrey, BC) allowed a pair of hits and walked one over five scoreless innings to help Polk State down Daytona State College 6-1. Dearing struck out three and picked up his first win of the season.

Cappe strong despite sweep

It wasn't the start to the season the University of Pikeville Bears were hoping for as they were swept three games to none by Point University. Brady Cappe (Waterford, Ont.) had himself a nice start in Game 2. Cappe went seven innings, giving up four hits, two runs and a walk. He struck out six in a 3-2 loss.

Manick the man in late innings

When McPherson College needed to lock down a pair of wins against Mid America Christian last week they turned to Canadian Jarrod Manick (Aldergrove, BC) to do the job. Manick earned the save in an 8-3 win by tossing two scoreless innings, giving up a hit with two punch outs. In Game 3, an 8-6 win he worked 1 1/3 innings, surrendering two runs (one earned) on two hits with three strikeouts.

Arruda, Forne help lead Tabor to wins

Nathan Arruda (Toronto, Ont.) worked 4 2/3 innings and gave up four runs (two earned) in a 16-4 Tabor College victory over Southwestern Assemblies of God University. Arruda scattered seven hits, three walks and struck out three. Dallas Forno (Okotoks, Alta.) got the ball in Game 3 and lasted four innings, giving up just one run. He gave up two hits, walked four and struck out a pair.

Scott can swing it

Tyler Scott (Calgary, Alta.) pounded four hits in four games, including a pair of doubles in Bryan College’s 11-7 win over Clarke University. Scott also walked three times and drove in three runs in the four contests.

Machibroda an on-base machine

The College of Central Florida took down Hillsborough 8-3 behind two hits, two walks and two RBIs from Nolan Machibroda (Saskatoon, Sask.) to open their week. Machibroda followed that performance up with two hits and a RBI in a 6-3 win over the Warner University JV’s. He didn't record a hit but walked twice in a 4-1 win over South Florida State to close the week

Oulton gets the opener for Owls

Taran Oulton (St. Albert, Alta.) gave up three runs (two earned) over six innings in William Woods season opener. Oulton gave up three hits and two walks while striking out six in the 3-1 loss to Blue Mountain.

Pilots improve to 6-0

The National Intercollegiate Athletic Association No. 25 LSU Shreveport Pilots were lead by Hunter Cunningham (Mission, BC) in a 6-0 Game 1 win over Friends University. Cunningham threw six scoreless innings, gave up two hits and walked one in the win. He struck out three to kickstart a three-game sweep. The Pilots are now 6-0 to open the season.

Skyhawk sweep

Billy Brand (Burlington, Ont.) tossed a scoreless inning with a strikeout to earn the save for the Point University Skyhawks in a 7-4 Game 1 win against University of Pikeville. He was back at it in Game 3, a 6-4 win, with a scoreless inning resulting in his second save.

White collects four hits

East Central University may have been swept by NCAA Division II No. 10 Delta State but Ryan White (Mississauga, Ont.) had four hits in the three games. White stroked a pair of doubles, walked twice and stole a base despite the Tigers being outscored 15-3 in the series.

As the days pass the list of Canadians putting up good performances grows. Each week brings more action. Make sure to check back next week to read all about it.

If you know someone deserving of a mention in the weekly BMOC column please email Matt Betts at mattbetts41@gmail.com